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Officials Rain On Downtown LA Beerathon

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Event organizers have been forced to call off the Los Angeles Beerathon scheduled for Sunday after state officials pointed out that they needed a liquor license.

Organizers had planned to sell $55 beer cups, entitling each cupholder to 12 ounces of beer at more than two dozen downtown eateries or bars. Each participant would have theoretically been entitled to consume 2.45 gallons of beer before closing time.

To which the state gave a resounding 'No'.

The Department of Alcohol Beverage Control warned the group that it needed a liquor license to sell beer -- a formality that appeared to have been lost on Beerathon organizers.

In addition, the state warned the licensed barkeepers they would violate their state licenses if they participate in a pay-to-drink-all-the-beer-you-can scheme.

Organizers planned to split the proceeds with the 26 participating downtown-area pubs and eateries. The loosely-organized event was patterned after similar sudsathons in New York City.

Beerathon organizers have promised to refund those who bought tickets.

And they have regrouped, telling Beerathon fans that all participating bars and restaurants will have heavily-discounted beer, special food, and all sorts of special entertainment Sunday throughout the night.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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